Google’s 2015 Logo Redesign: A Before-and-After Evaluation
A practical assessment of the 2015 Google logo redesign, comparing the 2013 and 2015 artwork and its implications for vector logo use.
Contents
What changed in the 2015 Google logo?
The 2015 Google logo is the replacement wordmark introduced on September 1, 2015. It kept the familiar four-color palette of blue, red, yellow, and green but changed the typeface from a serif design to a custom sans-serif typeface called Product Sans. The 2013 logo used a serif face with a tighter letterform structure and a slightly more dimensional beveled appearance. The 2015 version flattened the treatment, reduced the visual weight of the letterforms, and adjusted letter spacing for a cleaner silhouette. This comparison matters for vector logo work because it changes the outline shapes, anchor points, and optical spacing that an editable file must reproduce.
How the vector artwork differs
A vector version of the 2015 logo is not simply the older file with a font swap. The letterforms have different curves, stroke terminals, and counter shapes. The dot over the lowercase g and the angled cut on the lowercase e are new details that did not appear in the same way in the 2013 artwork. If you are preparing an editable vector file, the practical distinction is between outlined paths and live text. A file that keeps the wordmark as editable type depends on the Product Sans font being available or embedded correctly. A file with text converted to outlines removes that font dependency but also removes easy text editing.
What to check when evaluating a file
Do not infer editable vector paths from a filename or extension alone. A file labeled as a vector may contain a placed raster image, an embedded preview, or a non-editable linked file. The reliable check is to open the artwork in a vector editor and inspect whether the letterforms are paths or a linked image. Look for anchor points on the letter outlines, flat fills rather than pixels, and the absence of a bounding-box raster object behind the design.
Permission to download a logo is also separate from permission to modify or use its artwork, fonts, and trademarks. Having access to a working file does not by itself grant the right to alter the mark or use it in new materials. The 2015 Google logo remains a trademarked asset, and its use for anything beyond permitted references should be checked against the owner’s current terms.